Chapter 1: Embracing the Ocean's Gifts

Every summer, my family and I make our way to Maine to pay tribute to the ocean. We find ourselves on rocky outcrops, contemplating life and mortality, feeling a bit poetic as we swim, search for sea glass, and let the sun ignite an irresistible craving for ice cream on our journey home.

During our most recent visit, my son, my nephews, and I broke away from the family to explore tidepools, hunting for living creatures that might have roamed the Earth during the Jurassic Period. You guessed it; it was time to seek out the Atlantic rock crab, affectionately known as the “Peekytoe.”

This might just be the most intriguing fact we uncover today.

Before embarking on our adventure, we indulged in a feast at “The Lobster Shack,” cementing our dominance over the ocean's offerings. I indulged in fried shrimp, crispy fries, and as many chicken fingers as I could pilfer from my nephews.

Then, reality hit me—heart disease was looming.

I felt sluggish, weighed down by my deep-fried indulgences, and I craved movement just as much as I wanted ice cream.

So, upon reaching the beach, I sprinted from tidepool to tidepool, my son and nephews trailing behind like seagulls chasing an unattended snack. We splashed, flipped rocks, pushed aside seaweed, and lunged for the elusive peekytoes.

The boys, with their youthful exuberance, shouted, “A giant, a giant! We found a MONSTER!” even though their discoveries were only as large as coins. Determined, I sought out a true sea monster, one that would leave a lasting impression on my son and nephews.

I found some decent-sized peekytoes—no sea monsters, but impressive enough to make the boys gasp in astonishment.

I continued my search, focused solely on the thrill of discovery. In that moment, my worries vanished; my life was distilled to the sights, swift movements, and daring efforts to catch those crustaceans. With my thoughts cleared, I felt free from the burdens of memory and anxiety.

No distractions, just the boys and me, lost in a whirlwind of excitement, laughter, and pure happiness. I later reflected in my journal, “When was the last time I felt this alive?”

Peekytoe, what wisdom can you share?

I Consume Misery for Breakfast, Yet I Overdose on Revelations.